Football season is finally here. The pros are already playing preseason games and East Gadsden takes on Bainbridge next week (August 23) to start off the high school season. Colleges begin the next week.

It won’t be too soon, expecially for schools like Florida, Texas A&M and Ohio State that have taken a lot of off-field hits this summer. All that should be put in the rearview mirror as the season roars to life.

In the college ranks it appears that Alabama is once again the team to beat this year. The recently released preseason Coaches’ Poll reflects just that, with Ohio State and Oregon picked at number two and three, respectively. Florida State and Florida are both in the Top 25 with Miami hovering nearby.

Coincidently, all three play each other this season so a true state champion could be crowned.

I have a love-hate relationship with college football season, probably like most people. I can’t wait for it to get here but then I’m anxious each week of what the consequences might be for my favorite team. That’s crazy on my part because it’s just a game, and whether we like it or not, some games we win and some we lose. A team can have two or three good seasons, depending on the talent level, followed by two or three that leave a lot to be desired.

Of course, that’s what makes the college game so great. Players and coaches come and go. Even the great ones, unfortunately. So things tend to even out over the long haul. The Seminoles and Gators can attest to that. They swap it out regularly.

But keeping up with the college game is fun. The records, the polls and eventually the bowls keep us enthralled all season ... even if our favorite team isn’t doing so well.

Good luck to our three high schools. They’ll all be in action by August 30. Of note is that East Gadsden and West Gadsden have new coaches while Munroe’s coach is entering his second year. It will be interesting to see what kind of teams they can field this year.

As far as The Herald is concerned, we’re limited in our resources compared to larger newspapers but try to report as much football action as we can on our three local teams. I think it’s pretty darned good coverage.

So let the games begin, starting with The Herald’s annual Football Preview on Thursday, August 22. It features the three county teams and local college favorites. College schedules are also included as well as the NFL’s line-up.

Oh yeah, let’s not forget The Herald’s weekly, and always popular, college football contest. It starts August 22 and runs a total of 14 weeks, culminating at Christmastime with a bowl game contest.

All this is possible through the help of our advertisers, who we very much appreciate. They make football season a special time of year.